5 Best Places to See Mount Fuji

In Japan, on the morning of January 1st, many people go to see the first sunrise of the year, and then head to a shrine or temple to pray for a year's happiness. If you visit Japan around this time of year, be sure to have a unique experience of this country. This time, we will introduce you to spots where you can see the first sunrise of the year along with World Heritage Mt. Fuji, the symbol of Japan.

As a new attraction of the Fuji Goko （the Five Lakes of Mt. Fuji）area, the Motosu Lake Resort is getting popular year by year. The noteworthy feature during this period is “Diamond Fuji.” In a scenery that the artificial buildings are almost out of sight, the sun rising to the summit of Mt. Fuji is exactly the art of nature. If there is no wind, you may also see “Double Diamond Fuji,” which is the figure reflected in the Ryujin Pond in the park along with the real sunrise.

Mt. Fuji and the first sunrise of the year looking up from the lakeside “Kawaguchiko Oishi Park”

The northern coast of Lake Kawaguchi, one of Fuji Goko, is also popular as a great spot for the first sunrise of the year. The sunrise comes from the left skirts of Mt. Fuji, and “Sakasa-Fuji (upside down / reflected Fuji)” looks stunning. Kawaguchiko Natural Living Centre is open during the New Year holidays. There are many accommodations in the surrounding, and also at some facilities, you can see the first sunrise of the year from the room.

“Kawaguchiko Oishi Park”
●0555-76-8230
●2585 Oishi, Fujikawaguchikomachi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
●http://www.fujisan.ne.jp/search/info.php?ca_id=2&if_id=614
●http://www.fkchannel.jp/naturelivingcenter/
●Free entry, Natural Living Center 9:00-17:30 (closed at 15:00 on December 31st)
●First sunrise: around 6:54
●Access: No access available by public transportation due to the early morning. About 20 minutes by car from Kawaguchiko IC on Chuo Expressway. Please directly contact accommodations for details of pick-up service.

See the first sunrise of the year after playing all night! “Fuji-Q Highland”

Fuji-Q Highland, one of the country's leading amusement parks with numerous thrill rides, is open all night from December 31 to January 1 every year. To seeing the first sunrise from the left side of Mt. Fuji from the ferris wheel is very competitive, and needs patience to wait in a long line. Even if just seeing the illuminated attractions and Mt. Fuji that gradually dyed in red can be a great memory of the New Year's Eve.

“Fuji-Q Highland”
●0555-24-6711
●5-6-1, Shinnishihara, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi Prefecture
●https://www.fujiq.jp/
●New Year's Eve opens continuously from 9:00 on December 31st to 19:00 on January 1st 2018 (some attractions will be closed)
●First sunrise: around 6:54
●Access: Get off at Fuji-Q Highland Station of Fuji Kyuko. Or take an express bus from metropolitan areas such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo and Ikebukuro. Both trains and express buses offer free pass tickets. Please refer to the website for details.

Great for the New Year's first visit to a shrine around Fuji Goko – “Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengen Shrine”

Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengen Shrine that is registered as a World Heritage site, enshrines the God of Mt. Fuji, and has over 1900 years history. It is located at Yoshidaguchi, one of the trails, and in the Edo period, it used to be crowded as a base of the faith of Mt. Fuji, called Fuji-Ko. There are many buildings designated as an important cultural asset in the precincts, and approximately 100,000 visitors come for the New Year.

The magnificent view of the first sunrise of the year and Mt. Fuji over the sea “Miho no Matsubara”

Through the view of the coast where the pine grove line up and Mt. Fuji, and the legend of heavenly maiden, this is a scenic spot known for a long time. It is also one of the constituent assets of World Heritage Mt. Fuji. The first sunrise of the year rises from the Izu peninsula on the right side of Mt. Fuji. Please visit the Miho Shrine nearby for the first visit to the shrine of the year.

“Miho no Matsubara”
● 054-251-5880 (Suruga Marketing and Tourism Bureau)
● Miho, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
●https://www.visit-shizuoka.com/spots/detail.php?kanko=336
●First sunrise: around 6:54
● Access: No access available by public transportation due to the early morning. About 30 minutes by car from Shimizu IC on Tomei Expressway.

On the mountaintop with an altitude of 770m, there is a large observation deck. It is said that the name “Jikkoku Toge (10 countries ridge)” was given because of its wide range of view that can be overlooked entire land (10 countries) from the mountaintop. In the morning of New Year's Day, the cable car from the Jikkoku-noboriguchi Station to the top of the mountain will be operated from 5:00 am. The first sunrise will be almost opposite to Mt. Fuji, but an impressive view coloring the surroundings with morning glow in the dawn will await you.

“Jikkoku-toge Cable Car”
●0557-81-6895
●1400-20, Kuwahara, Kannamicho, Tagata-gun, Shizuoka prefecture
●http://www.izuhakone.co.jp/jukkoku-cable/
●First sunrise: around 6:50
●Access: No public transportation to the Jikkoku-noboriguchi Station. About 25 minutes by car from Atami Station of the Tokaido Shinkansen

Confirm the transportation in advance

When you go to see the first sunrise of the year, you should basically think that you can't use public transport for the early morning. Using taxi might be another option, but it may be difficult to arrange on New Year's Day. It is recommended to be consulted by the accommodation you have booked. Depending on facilities, they may give you a ride to the site, but do not make an unreasonable request.

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JOURNEY of JAPAN is a Japan travel and tourist information magazine provided by one of Japan's largest credit card companies and travel professionals. We offer a wide range of information on everything from famous spots (e.g. Mt. Fuji and Kiyomizu Temple) to great off the beaten track locations! We also have plenty of information on hot-topic shops, restaurants, hotels and accommodation facilities.